Degree Programs

IIT's Department of Chemical Engineering offers Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (M.S.), Master of Chemical Engineering (M.ChE.), and Master of Manufacturing Engineering (M.M.E.) degrees. Graduate courses can be taken live at the Main Campus or Rice Campus, and via IITV in the Chicago area, or the National Technological University (NTU) throughout the United States. Qualified fulltime and parttime students with a B.S. degree in engineering or science may be admitted to the Ph.D., M.S., M.ChE. and M.M.E. programs. The department offers the following areas of specialization: Energy/Environment/Economics (E3); Polymer Science and Engineering; Process Design, Modeling and Control; Biomedical Engineering; and Food /Biochemical Engineering.

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (M.S.)

A total of 32 credithours is required for the M.S. degree. Candidates are required to take at least 12 credithours in chemical engineering courses numbered above 500 and 68 credithours in research and thesis work. Courses must include at least 4 chemical engineering core subjects with a student performance of at least "B" in those courses. Up to 12 credithours in other graduate subjects may be selected in accordance with general degree requirements and in consultation with the student's adviser. Undergraduate courses numbered above 400 also may be used for up to 12 hours of graduate credit. The thesis may be completed outside the department only by special arrangement with the chairman. Students must also pass the comprehensive final examination at the end of their thesis work. The final examination is normally oral, but exceptions are sometimes made at the discretion of the examining committee.

Master of Chemical Engineering (M.ChE.)

The Master of Chemical Engineering is a professionally oriented degree program that permits a concentration in engineering practice. The requirements are the same as those for the M.S. degree, except that additional courses and/or a project replace the thesis work. The M.ChE. candidate must complete 18 credithours of graduate chemical engineering coursework.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must meet the admission requirements outlined above for other graduate programs. In addition, they must pass the general qualifying examinations and the comprehensive examination, and complete and defend a thesis on original research. Qualifying examinations cover all the core chemical engineering subjects. After passing the qualifying examinations, students normally choose a research adviser and officially begin their doctoral work as Ph.D. candidates. However, the major portion of the doctoral research does not formally begin until students have passed the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination is conducted by a thesis advisory committee appointed by the chairman of the department. This committee supervises the overall doctoral program and provides general guidance for research.

Master of Manufacturing Engineering (M.M.E.)

The interdisciplinary approach of the Master of Manufacturing Engineering degree program integrates a global view of manufacturing. The requirements are the same as for the M.ChE. degree except that, in addition to the core chemical engineering courses, the curriculum should include 6 required manufacturing courses offered by the engineering, business and design departments. Many graduate students in the department receive full or partial support in the form of fellowships, scholarships, and research and teaching assistantships. In addition, Armour College of Engineering and Science provides several halftuition scholarships to qualified chemical engineering applicants. These awards are made on a competitive basis to students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Prospective graduate students are urged to submit their applications as soon as possible to be considered for financial aid. Through IIT's ALUMED program, parttime students who have previously graduated from IIT may take one course per semester at half the current tuition rate. Arrangements must be made through the Office of Educational Services (312 567 3300) prior to registration.